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S u n M o n T u e W e d T h u F r i S a t
1 2 7:30am Men’s Bible Fellowship
3 Transfiguration Sunday Food Pantry Collection 8:30am Worship 9:30am Coffee & Fellowship 9:45am Sunday School, Choir 11:00am Worship
4 9:30am Prayer 12:10pm Sr. High Lunch
5 9:00am Ministerial 9-1:00pm Good Samaritans- Quilting
6 Ash Wednesday 9:30am Bible Study 3:15pm Kids for Christ 5:30pm Lent Supper 6:30pm Worship 6:30pm Confirmation
7 8 9 7:30am Men’s Bible Fellowship
10 1 Lent 8:30am Worship 9:30am Coffee & Fellowship 9:45am Sunday School, Choir 11:00am Contemporary Worship-Prek-1st grade sing 2:00pm Fat & Faithful Book Group
11 9:30am Prayer 12:10pm Sr. High Lunch
12 9:00am Text Study 9-1:00pm Good Samaritans-Quilting
13 9:30am Bible Study 3:15pm Kids for Christ 5:30pm Lent Supper 6:30pm Worship 6:30pm Confirmation 7:00pm Committees 8:00pm Council
14 10:00 Bridgeview Bible Study 2:00pm Hannah Circle
15 16 7:30am Men’s Bible Fellowship
17 2 Lent/Abused Person Outreach Center Collection 8:30am Worship 9:30am Coffee & Fellowship 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Contemporary Worship
18 9:30am Prayer 12:10pm Sr. High Lunch
19 9:00am Text Study 9-1:00pm Good Samaritans-Quilting
20 9:30am Bible Study No Kids for Christ 5:30pm Lent Supper 6:30pm Worship 6:30pm Confirmation 7:30pm Sarah Circle-Fireside Room-Mary Creviston
21
22 23 7:30am Men’s Bible Fellowship
24 3 Lent 8:30am Worship 9:30am Coffee & Fellowship 9:45am Sunday School 10:00am Choir 11:00am Worship
25 9:30am Prayer 12:10pm Sr. High Lunch
26 9:00am Text Study 9-1:00pm Good Samaritans-Quilting 2:00pm Bible Book Club
27 9:30am Bible Study No Kids for Christ 5:30pm Lent Supper 6:30pm Worship 6:30pm Confirmation
28 9:30am Jamestown Conference
29 30 7:30am Men’s Bible Fellowship
31 4 Lent 8:30am Worship 9:30am Coffee & Fellowship 9:45am Sunday School, Choir 11:00am Worship
Our Savior’s Lutheran
M a rc h 2 0 1 9
Our Savior’s Lutheran Updates From the February Council Meeting
New Members: McKenzie Nordland and Sara Stanley
Deaths: Sara Whitson (non-member)
The Council is putting together a Planning Team.
The Planning Team will review the results of the
Ministry and Building Reviews that were completed
this Fall. They will make recommendations for updates
to our church building that can enhance our current and
future ministries.
A task force will explore the possibility of Our
Savior’s Lutheran Church being the host site for the
Community Closet. The Community Closet is a
volunteer run project that provides access to free clothes
and household goods to people in our community. The
current site has limitations. A more handicap accessible
space would enhance this ministry. The task force will
make a recommendation to the Council at the March
meeting. Please share questions with Pastor Emmy or
Pastor Kyle.
_____________________________________________
Radio Broadcast
Radio broadcast of the 8:30 worship is on Sunday
morning at 11:00 a.m. on KOVC 1490 AM. To sponsor
a broadcast and/or reserve a sponsorship date for 2018,
please contact the church office. The cost to sponsor a
broadcast is $100 and you may provide this gift in
memory of or in honor of someone, an a anniversary or
another significant event. Your gift to this important
ministry is appreciated.
_____________________________________________
Let Me Know...
Changes in Address or phone? Please let us know
in the Church Office.
Do you want your newsletter sent to you by email?
Just give Brenda a at call 845-1328 or email
Thank you
5:30 p.m. Soup Meal (free will donation)
6:30 p.m. Worship
Ash Wednesday
March 6
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall
return.” Be humbled by God’s gracious love for you,
given in Jesus Christ.
“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” March 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10
Hear stories about how Jesus is our friend and how we
are to be a friend to others.
___________________________________________
Monday Prayer Group meets at 9:30 a.m. each
Monday.
Come to pray for the church, the world, and all in
need.
Stay for coffee and conversation.
__________________________________________
March 10th
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
One of the deep privileges of being a pastor is to hear stories of faith. I
remember the conversation I shared with a someone. He had grown up
going to church. He worshiped regularly. He learned the stories of Jesus.
He knew that Jesus loved him. One day, his faith came alive in a
different way. He started to sit down in the morning to pray – to talk to Jesus like a friend. He brought his
griefs to Jesus to bear. Jesus came alive in a new way in his life. He found peace and assurance even amidst
hardship.
As your pastor, my prayer is that every person connected with our faith community has a growing relationship
with Jesus Christ. God is not a good who is far off. In Jesus, God has come to say, “I am here with you and for
you.” In John 15:15, Jesus says, “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know
what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I
have heard from my Father.”
In ancient philosophy, one of the characteristics of friendship is “frankness of speech.” Friends are to be open
and honest with one another. Being a friend isn’t about trying to impress another. It’s about being real with one
another. As the Apostle Paul says, “rejoices with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans
12:15) What a privilege it is to carry joys, sorrows and everything to God in prayer. What a privilege it is to be
known and loved by the Creator of it all.
Lent (the weeks leading up to Easter) is a time to grow in your relationship with Jesus. If you don’t already do
so, set aside some time for daily prayer. Pick up a “Christ in Our Home” devotion book from church, read a
Psalm each day, journal your prayer, sit in quiet, or set a daily intention. I plan to use the resources found here
for my daily devotions: https://waytolead.org/lent-intentions-2019/
Grow in your relationship with Jesus by coming to our Wednesday night Lent opportunities. Enjoy a soup
meal at 5:30 p.m. and worship at 6:30 p.m., where we gather around the theme “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
We will hear stories of how Jesus is a friend to us and be invited to live more deeply into our friendships with
others.
Hear these words, as if they come from Jesus to you:
You've got a friend in me, You've got a friend in me, When the road looks rough ahead,
And you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed, you just remember what your old pal said, Boy you've
got a friend in me Yeah you've got a friend in me
Blessings on your life of faith and your relationship with Jesus.-Pastor Emmy
Upcoming Book Study Opportunities Read the book. Come to the study. Share your impressions. Not a reader? Then, Come, listen, and learn.
March 10, 2:00 pm in the Gathering Room
“Faithful and Fit:
Learning to love our bodies, our neighbors, and ourselves”
J. Nicole Morgan grew up fat and loving Jesus. But she was forever burdened by what
she saw as her biggest spiritual flaw: her weight. In Fat and Faithful, she shares her
journey from body shame to fat acceptance and shows us how to care for the image of
God found in every body–including our own. When the world tells us that our bodies
are too much, J. Nicole Morgan reminds us that all people–no matter their size or abil-
ity–are beloved of God.
April 14, 9:45 am in the Small Dining Room
“Love Without Limits:
Jesus’ Radical Vision for Love with No Exceptions”
Every day, millions of people lament the loss of civility, respect, and hope, and they
wonder if it's possible to cultivate a love big enough to overthrow hate and heal our
hurts. With courage, authenticity, and relevance, Jacqueline A. Bussie proclaims,
"Yes! It's possible!" In Love Without Limits, Bussie imparts practical solutions for people of faith who
yearn to love across division and difference in these troubled times.
Bible Book Club: Amos Tuesday, March 26 at 2:00 pm in Gathering Room.
Read the book. Come for conversation. All are Welcome.
An Introduction: The messages of Amos insist that God's relationship with people includes all of their lives.
Amos insists that because of injustice and oppression, God's anger has been provoked and judgment will
come. The judgment that Amos announced was not a final judgment, but a part of God's relationship with the
people. This message of God's anger and judgment remains relevant for people of faith today. Because God
still loves people, God still is provoked to anger when people cause others to suffer. From enterthebible.org
Let Pastor Emmy or Pastor Kyle know if we can order a book for you.
Each month in 2019, our newsletter will highlight one of the ministries that make
up Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
This month’s ministry spotlight is our
Monthly Servant Groups
through our Monthly Servant Groups. Each of the 12 Servant Groups has 2-4 vol-
unters who provide leadership for the their group. All members of the congrega-
tion are assigned to a Servant Group and are encouraged to particpate when called
upon.
On a Servant Group’s assigned month, they provide hospitality on Sunday morn-
ings. Volunteers host the coffee hour by bringing goodies, serving coffee, and cleaning up. Greeters provide a
welcome as worshipers arrive. These seemingly simple acts of hospitality are a front line of welcome here at
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
On a rotating basis, Servant Groups serve funeral lunches. Some in the group donate bars or cookies; others
donate their time. It is holy time as family and friends gather around tables in the Large Dining Room, to
share stories and comfort one another in their grief. Bringing a pan of bars to the church may seem like an
inconvenience, but it is really an opportunity to be God’s hand of comfort.
Servant Groups host our Wednesday soup meals during Lent. Meals are served at 5:30 pm in lower level
Large Dining. Volunteers are asked to bring items for the meal, including bread, cheese, milk, and dessert.
Families and friends sit down and share a meal together, where they live out our Christian faith by rejoicing
with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. These mid-week meals provide a unique opportu-
nity for our faith community to come together.
Sunday, March 17 Wear Green! Wear your favorite NDSU or UND apparel to show your support for
our Lutheran Campus Ministries.
Enjoy a GREEN coffee hour – All donations collected that day will support UND &
NDSU Campus
Thank you to our past and present Monthly Servant Group coordinators, who ensure that these ministries are
carried out. Your dedication and countless phone calls are deeply appreciated. Thank you to all who say “yes”
when called upon to donate or serve. Thank you to the Congregation & Family Life Committee for providing
oversight of our Monthly Servant Group Ministries.
Member’s of April Our Savior’s Servants
Videlle & Doug Hamilton 840-4628 Eileen & Dennis Maresh 845-4636 Don & Mitzi Beutler
Darren & Paige Bjornson Janet Brown
Derrick Fretheim Roger Haga
Brian & Lori Heath Kelli Heath Beth Holden Phyllis Hook
Kevin & Kathy Jacobson Elsie Keys
Howard Langemo Sue Lloyd Brett Lloyd
Robert & Beverly Loken Tom & Stacey Machart Matt & Lacie Maresh James & Lucile Riden Jerome & Edie Schmidt
Rev. Emmy & Searle Swedlund _________________________________________ Thank you to our February Our Savior’s Servants and their Coordinators: Ruth Larson (Interim), Dale Hildebrant Altar Committee Members: Edith Klein, Nicole Johnson Flower Committee Member: Ethel Gusaas, Lenore Lebahn Thank you to our faithful ushers who assist us every Sunday.
The 2019 Missionary Calendar is waiting to be filled!
Claim a date and donate $25 in support of our
missionaries, Willie and Anne Langdji and Global
Health Ministries. Donations can be put in the offering,
and clearly marked for “Missionary Calendar.” Let’s go
for a missionary calendar “black out” in 2019.
_____________________________________________
Food Pantry Sunday-March 3
There are many items that the Food Pantry is in need of
each month. Some examples are: diapers, soap,
shampoo, paper products, and snack foods. These items,
along with your other generous donations each month
are greatly appreciated.
_____________________________________________
Rent: Unfurnished ~950 sq. ft. two bedroom, 2nd floor
apartment with hot water & heat included, stove, fridge,
washer and dryer, private entrance with off street
parking. Available immediately. No pets or smoking.
References. Call Bobby Koepplin at (701)840-0250.
_____________________________________________
Servant Group Coordinator are needed for the month
of February. If you are interested in becoming a
coordinator for a servant group, or are not connected to a
group and would like more information, contact
Ruth Larson at 845 – 4257.
_____________________________________________ For Your Information Church Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 am-3:00 pm
Church Building Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am -3:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday 8:00 am- 12:00 pm
Phone Numbers
Church Office 845-1328
Pastor Emmy Swedlund Cell-(701)552-2419
Pastor Kyle Symanski Cell-(708)467-8712
If we do not answer, please leave a message so that we can get
back to you.
A “Survival Guide” for Lent By: Rev. Tim Brown, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Raleigh, NC Originally published in Living Lutheran, Jan. 26th, 2016
Thought One: Go poetically and prophetically
Prophets are the conscience of the people. Journalist H.L. Mencken once wrote, “Conscience: the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking.” And this year that “someone” will be you. Certainly God too. But it is usually me who neglects to look at myself. The prophetic readings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Mar-tin Luther King Jr. and even modern prophets speaking truth in the news should bend the ear. And poetry bends eyes and hearts. Poetry infects the mind and the heart at the same time.
If this is new to you, perhaps start with a modern poet like Christian Wiman (“Every Riven Thing” and “My Bright Abyss”). Join that voice to Maria Rainer Rilke, Rumi, Jan Richardson or John O’Donohue to keep you open to life as you dig into your spirit. Indeed, it will be the spade you use for the digging. The prophets will call you to dig; poetry may be the tool.
Thought Two: Go with your body
This season is not just for the soul, beloved. “In these bodies we will live, and in these bodies we will die,” the band Mumford & Sons reminds us (“Awake My Soul”). Our bodies take on special importance in these days when we’re encouraged to participate in the ancient practices of fasting, kneeling and physically handing over our abundance to those without.
Focus on just one of these practices to embody Lent in these strange days where even watching the news can cause physical fatigue.
Thought Three: Go for broke
We talk about denial in Lent — of sin, of self and perhaps even of sweets or bacon. But Lent is a fool’s para-dise if we’re just taking a vacation from these things. A vacation may give me a break from my work, but it doesn’t give me a break from myself. Instead, have God break you open a bit in Lent.
And if you feel the world has already broken you open, then Lent is the time to allow God to do it differently. We callous ourselves after loss and while away in fear — it’s natural. Lent can be a season for wearing away at that shell so we can emerge like new in resurrection life. Lenten practices are a divine tool for transformation, not vacation. Only after breaking can resurrection make us into something totally new.
And that’s what we all need most this year: resurrection. Lent can be the primer that prepares our lives for that process, the 40 days of wandering that shows us the light at the end of the empty tomb. Don’t back away from the process; enter it all the more fully. Enter into it and then find yourself exiting a newly empty tomb on Easter morning along with the Christ who has brought you this far along the way.
